focus may 2011 copy

8/7/2019 Focus May 2011 Copy

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FOCUSFirst Baptist Church, Chico

850 Palmetto Avenue

Chico, CA 95926

530-343-3446

Monthly NewsletterVol. 30, No.4 - May 2011

We are a richly varied church community celebrating the grace of God through worship, through encouraging spiritual

growth, and by living as reminders of Gods loving presence in our world.

An editorial entitled Tax benefit in the

April 19, 2011 issue of The Christian

Century magazine, begins this way: Paying

taxes in this country is ordinarily accompanied bymuch grumbling. Rarely does anyone point out that

paying taxes is not just a legal duty but a moral

opportunity because paying taxes is one way each

of us supports the common good. Taxation

provides crucial elements of a good society,

including a justice system, public education, an

infrastructure that encourages commerce, and a

safety net for the elderly and the vulnerable.

Having just sent in my taxes last month, I confess

that I didnt think of the common good that

comes with paying taxes. Mostly, like most I

suppose, I grumble about how much I owe. Even

more, I complain about the complexity of getting

everything together to fill out the forms. Even

worse, this year we couldnt claim our daughter as

a dependent because she turned 25. That didnt

help the tax bill either. So I grumbled.

I hear many people grumbling about taxes. As the

editorial suggests, rarely do I hear anyone,especially politicians, talking about the moral

opportunity to pay taxes. No one points out the

common good that comes with paying taxes and

supporting our nation. No one seems to talk about

justice either when it comes to taxes.

Let me quote from the editorial again. InJourney

to the Common Good, Walter Brueggemann says

that the Bibles vision of the common good is of a

society in which the poor are not taken advantage

of, in which strangers are welcomed and in which

people stand in solidarity with one another.Applying this vision to contemporary conditions i

a prophetic vocation to which people of faith and

conscience are called.

We Christians sometimes get wrapped up in what

we want. We feel that the common good means t

good life forus. We forget that Gods prophets

continually proclaim Gods desire for justice for t

poor and downtrodden. The prophet Amos

proclaimed, Let justice roll down like waters, an

righteousness like an everflowing stream. The

prophet Micah said, He has told you, O mortal,

what is good; and what does the LORD require of

you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to

walk humbly with your God?

Again and again, Gods prophets teach us to seek

justice. They condemn those who seek their own

gain to the detriment of the poor. It seems that we

Christians have forgotten this in our desire to

reduce our own tax rates. Both parties seem verywilling to balance the deficit on the backs of the

poor rather than seeking justice for all. We hear

little push to make sure that large corporations pay

their share of taxes, or to ensure that those who ar

blessed with much, pay more.

May we Christians speak out for justice for all

people.


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First Baptist Church, Chico

850 Palmetto Avenue

Chico, CA 95926

530-343-3446

www.chicofirstbaptist.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

E-Mail:[email protected]

Every Member a Minister

Rev. Ted Sandberg D. Min.

M A R K Y O U R C A L E N D A R

Sunday, May 1 - Holocaust Memorial Service Sunday

Sunday, May 1 - First Sunday of Easter

Sunday, May 1 - Communion

Friday, May 6 - Caller Support Gathering

Sunday, May 8 - Second Sunday in Easter

Sunday, May 8 - Mothers Day

Sunday, May 8 - Mothers Day Brunch

Saturday May 14, - ABW In and Out Yard Sale

Sunday, May 15 - Third Sunday of Easter

Sunday, May 15 - Missions/Social Concerns serves evening meal at Torres Shelter

Tuesday, May 17 - Circles

Sunday, May 22 - Fourth Sunday in Easter

Sunday, May 29 - Fifth Sunday in Easter

Monday, May 30 Office Closed

FOCUS Articles due in officeFriday May 20

Expediters: Joyce Shannon, Louise Logue, Evelyn Cash, Marta Torres


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M A Y C A L E N D A R

Date Sermon Title Sermon T

May 1First Sunday of Easter

Communion Peace and Forgiveness John 20:19

Worship Leader: Margaret Ballinger

Communion Servers: Jill Ramsey & Jackie LongTerry Houchin & Doris Arbuckle

May 8Second Sunday of Easter

Mothers Day Walking Evangelism Luke 24:13

Worship Leader: Jackie Long

May 15 Third Sunday of Easter Unjust Suffering 1Peter 2:19

Worship Leader: Louise Logue

May 22 Fourth Sunday of Easter A Royal Priesthood 1Peter 2:2

Worship Leader: Doris Arbuckle

May 29 Fifth Sunday of Easter What About Suffering? John 14:15

Worship Leader: Margarita Rainey

ADULT DISCUSSION CLASS Sunday Mornings at 9:15 am with Shirley Stanley and Jerry Fogle

We are using Judson Press Material. This material covers the Bible in 5 years.

Presently in a video series of archeological finds in the Holy Land.

Coffee and Donuts provided.

.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Happy May Birthday Wishes to:

Dan Arbuckle (5/1) Syd Moody (5/9), Daniel Gerfen (5/18)Charlaine Sandberg (5/5) Marge Hamilton (5/10) Anne Wheelock (5/21)

Chelsea Catterall (5/6) Betty Hannis (5/13) Marilyn Arbuckle (5/25)

Eve Hamilton (5/16) Francie Savangsy (5/26)

***

*REMINDERS: Can Food Drive - Salvation Army Barrel is in the Narthex

Table in the Narthex - Donate your old Eye Glasses for Haiti

Table in the Narthex - Soup Labels for Education

At the right of the Table in the Narthex - Torres Shelter Milk Bottle

ATTENTION!

From the Evangelism/Membership CommitteeEvangelism/Membership is planning a Callers Support Group get-together on Friday, May 6. We will be getting

together at Cheri Sandbergs house at 2:00pm for a light meal. Anyone who is currently calling on shut-ins or anyon

who is interested in keeping in contact with our shut-ins by visit, telephone, or mail is welcome to attend. Hope to s

you there.


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Focus on Chico First Baptist FamilyWe are continuing to pray for: The WAR in Iraq and Afghanistan

FRIENDS WITH CANCERFriends with Cancer: CAROL: Catherine Hendrixs neighbor - diagnosed with

kidney cancer; PAUL METTLE - Jill Ramseys brother-in-law; FERN MORGAN - mother of friend of Terre

Reynolds; FRANK JAMES - Mary Jane Bowsers friend, esophageal cancer; MARGARET BALLINGERS

SISTER- extensive cancer. CANDACE - Jill Ramseys Friend, ovarian cancer; CHERYL DEAN - - Evelyn Cash

cousin, bone cancer; BOB DEMILLO - Having cancer treatments - Friend of Virginia

***

SHIRLEY SMITH: Has Parkinsons and Palsy SP; AMY: Ed Hightowers daughter - Parkinsons disease; RIC

Jill Ramseys cousin - has kidney failure;

***

Courtyard at Little Chico Creek: HELEN WALLACE

The Inn at the Terraces (Apt 12): EDITH MCCONNELL

Roses & Ivy Elder Care Center: DOLLY SKINNER

Twin Oaks Care Center: LOU HAYES

Roseleaf Senior Care (Humboldt Rd., Chico): PAULA JOHNSON

Feather River Canyon Home: ELAINE HERRINGTON

MILITARY: JASON WILLIAMS - Ed Hightowers step grandson

WILL DUNHAM - Doris Arbuckles grandson

DAN GERFEN:- Joan Hannis Gerfens son deployed to Afghanistan

Crystal Pulliam - Died on April 12. A service was held Friday April 15. Please remember her family and friends

Tom Masterson - Died on April 7. A service was held Saturday April 16th. Please remember his family, and frien

Pacific Coast Baptist Association. Remember those who are grieving.*If there are names that can or should be removed please contact Ted or the office at 343-3446*

******************************************************************************DID YOU KNOW that First Baptist Church has walkers, crutches, wheelchairs and other durable medical equipment to loan

If you or someone you know needs to borrow any of these items, call the church office at 343-3446 to arrange pick-up... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ABW MINISTRIES CIRCLE MEETINGS - Tuesday, May 19

Charity Circle 10:00 AM Country Waffle 690 Rio Lin

Hope 6:00 PM Turandot Cuisine 1851 Esplana

Lauran Bethell 6:30 PM Jacks Family Restaurant 540 Ma

Also from the Evangelism/Membership Committee:

Evangelism/Membership will be making up care packages again in May to send to our servicemen and women, wh

are overseas. If you know of any additions, deletions, or address corrections that should be made to our list of servi

people, please let Carol (our church secretary) know as soon as possible.

A Note of ThanksDan Gerfen sends his sincere thanks for the box the FBC family sent to him in Afghanistan. It was a

welcome surprise after 3 weeks of no mail delivery due to the weather. He appreciates you thinking of hi

and your continued prayers.


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AB Womens Ministries

Bible Book for May:Nahum

News & Updates

Susan Linderman Circle

We held our meeting at the Country Waffle Restaurant on Tuesday (May 10, 2011). Those attending were Virginia

Bolton (Chairperson), Lena White, Vivian Anderegg, Margaret Ballinger, Betty Hannis, Jackie Long, Ann Clark an

Louise Logue. We collected $20 for the Love Gift Offering and $7.00 for the General Offering. Lena and Louisereported that they spent $34.07 for the Easter Basket project. They returned $15.93 change to Margaret. Jackie

delivered an emotional devotional. The next meeting will be held on May 17, and Lena will bring the devotion. A

Virginia adjourned the meeting, she invited everyone to her home for tea and cake on June 21 at 3:00 P.M. The nam

of the circle will officially be changed to Circle of Charity at that time.

Submitted by Louise Logue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Communications Committee

The meeting was held on Thursday (April 7, 2011) in the Social Hall. Those attending were Joyce Shannon (co-

chairperson), Louise Logue (co-chairperson), Carol Willette, Rev. Ted Sandberg and Marta Torres, We were honor

with Evelyn Cash and Bob Hamilton as guests. Joyce opened the meeting. The sign for the in/out yard sale wasdiscussed. Louise will change the sign and place an ad for the sale. Joyce will put in an article regarding the ABW

in/out yard sale. Marta volunteered to make the posters for this fund raiser. We voted to place a quarter page flyer i

each yard sale bag to acknowledge the First Baptist Church. We discussed the bulletin boards and their priority. Te

will report on the Property Management meeting regarding the window washing project at the next meeting.

Submitted by Louise Logue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lauren Bethell Circle

Ten members of the Lauren Bethell Circle met on April 19, in the Social Hall. Cindy Hightower furnished food wh

was enjoyed by all, and we worked diligently "stuffing" our allotted 12 Easter baskets with candy, coloring books,

candy, crayons, candy, pencils, etc. Shirley Stanley brought the devotional, and $19.75 was collected as the Love G

Cindy surprised all of those present with a gift of a potted African Violet, explaining that it was in memory ofCrystal Pulliam, who loved African violets. Those present signed up to help at the yard sale on May 12 and 13, eith

setting up, taking down, or selling. Our May meeting will be at Jack's Family Restaurant in downtown Chico.

Submitted by Doris Arbuckle..........................................................................................................................................

CIRCLE OF HOPE

The Circle of Hope met at the home of Louise Logue April 19 at 7:00 P.M. Those who attended were: Louise, Math

Brandstatt, Joan Hannis Gerfen, Carol Willitte and Joyce Shannon. We started our meeting with the ladies who

attended the conference in Yakima, telling us about their trip. Those who attended were: Louise, Carol, Joyce and

Deborah Logue. They expressed there were pros and cons about the conference, but all agreed it was very benefic

and the women were very welcoming. Louise read several mini devotions from a book by Joyce Meyer a well- know

minister and an inspirational speaker, who lectures throughout the country. We continued our meeting with a report

about the Easter baskets that were completed by our group for the CPS children. Our May meeting will be at

Turandot, the time will be confirmed at a later date. Before we ended our meeting we took offering and Love Gift. I

was decided with the money we have left in our offering we will buy blankets for Mothers Day. We adjourned at

9:00 P.M.

Submitted by Joyce Shannon


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Attitude of GratitudeHave you noticed a new banner hanging in the Narthex, printed with the words Attitude of Gratitude. We hope that as you

read these words it will help you to forget the negative things in our world today, and instead consider all of the good there is

around you! If you have something that you are grateful for, and want to add to our banner, we will have cards available for y

to use. The cards will be picked up periodically and your expressions of gratitude will be typed and added to the banner. May

God bless us as we try to change our attitudes and also help us to remember all the things for which we should be grateful.

LADIES Start your spring cleaning as we are having our "In and Out Yard Sale" bring

clean and in good shape clothes, as well as other items no holes or stains please.

You may start dropping off donations now thru Thursday May 12.All donations need to be in by May 12.

WE WILL BE SETTING UP ON THURSDAY MAY 12, & FRIDAY MAY 13,

YARD SALE WILL BE: May 14, 2011

**********************************************************************

MOTHERS DAY BRUNCH

Sunday May 8

8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Newman Center 346 Cherry Street

Benefits the Newman Catholic Center and Torres Shelter

(See Flyer in Narthex)

**********************************************************************

Holocaust Memorial Service Sunday to Feature Music of the Holocaust

In honor of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day), Congregation Beth Israel will hold a memorial service and program o

Sunday, May 1, 7:00PM at the synagogue on 14 Street and Hemlock. The program features Neal Brostoff, noted pianist anth

Jewish music scholar from Los Angeles who will speak about music of the Holocaust Sunday evening. The talk will be

illustrated with sound recordings and video. The subject of music in the ghettos and camps, as well as post-Holocaust art mu

will shed light on the power of art as a survival tool, as reconciliation, and as a source of profoundly spiritual inspirattion to

many composers.


7/8

Attitude Of Gratitude

God is the Source of all of Life, it is Self destructive to put our trust elsewhere. If giving causes more pain th

pleasure it is not our money but our faith that is insufficent.

*********************************************************************************************

White Cross Quota 2010-2011

American Baptist Women Ministries of First Baptist Church

This past September, the ABW circles of our church voted to fill our White Cross Quota for the year ending

April 30, 2011. We were able to do that by donating money to overland and overseas missions and donating rolled

bandages.

Our Overland White Cross Quota was a request from the Dayton Christian Center in Dayton, Ohio for

Christmas needs of clothes and toys for children who attend the Christian Center. We sent a $150 Wal-Mart Gift c

to cover those needs. The Center provides a preschool and after school program for neighborhood children. It alsohelps parents by providing parenting classes. The thank you letter we received expressed gratitude for the donation

and requested continued prayers for the work of their Christian Center.

Our Overseas White Cross quota included a request for $87.50 to the Lebanon White Cross Program throug

the Overseas Purchase Plan. Our ABC missionaries to Lebanon, Dan and Sarah Chetti, will help distribute the fund

for those providing a ministry to the community located at the Hadath Baptist Church. The Hadath Baptist Church

started as a House Church in 1958. A small band of believers met in an apartment in a high rise building in the Bab

region of Beirut. Hadath is a mixed neighborhood of Muslims and nominal Roman Catholics (Maronites) and

evangelical believers. The church is expanding with a Sunday School ministry to reach out to the many children in

the neighborhood. Their Outreach ministry will provide necessary support to toddlers and their mothers and provid

nutritional meals and basic medical care. Another check for $112 was sent to the India White Cross Program whicruns Christ-centered health ministries. It is estimated 50% or more of Indias non-Christians who come to faith in

Christ have been influenced by Christian health programs. From women experiencing difficulty birthing a child or

men injured in accidents to children bewildered by pain they do not understand, these and more have found gentle,

professional care of body and soul. Missionaries Betsy and Dave Perkins are able to visit these hospitals and clinic

to see all that is taking place and how White Cross funds are used to help those in need.

Our Overseas White Cross Handwork Quota was sent to International Ministries to be repacked and shipped

in large containers to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We were able to provide 76 (16.5 pounds) rolled

bandages. Thank you to the women who tore sheets into 3 wide strips, sewed them into 10 yard lengths, and then

rolled them into bandages. We also contributed $64 to purchase 6 Health kits (comb, washcloth, toothbrush, soap,

towel) and 5 Baby Layette kits (baby gown, 2 shirts, blanket, cloth diapers) for the Christian Centers in thePhilippines. They will distribute the kits to babies and people in need in the various Christian Center areas.

All of these White Cross items were purchased, made, and sent with money raised by our First Baptist Chur

of Chico ABW Rummage Sales. Our next fundraising event will be the In and Out Yard Sale on Saturday, May

2011. We will receive the White Cross Quota for 2011-12 next September. Thank you to everyone who helped us

fulfill this years White Cross Quota by supporting the ABW fundraising events.

Submitted by Marty Brandstatt, ABW White Cross Chairman


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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturda

May 2011Flowers for the Month Provided by church members

1

First Sunday ofEasterCommunion

*J. HannisGerfen

2

Pastor/Staff5:30pm

Evangelism/membership6:30pm

3

Martial Arts9:15-12:30

4

Worship11:45amCountry Waffle

Stewardship6pm

5

Communication9am

Choir 6pm

6

Caller SupportGathering2pm Sandbergs

7

PCBA SpringConference

8 SecondSundayofEaster, Mothers

Day Brunch

* CindyHightower

9 10Martial Arts9:15-12:30

Christian Education

6pm

Gov. Bd. 7pm

11

CAIC11:45am

12

ABW Yard Saleset up

Choir 6 pm

13

ABW Yard Sale

set up

14

ABW Yard S8am -2pm

15 ThirdSundayof EasterMissions/Socialserves eveningmeal to TorresShelter

*J. Brandstatt

16 17


CIRCLES

18

19

Choir 6pm

20

FOCUS deadlinefor/Junenewsletter

21

Church WorkDay 8:30 am

22 FourthSunday of Easter

*L. Logue

23

24Martial Arts9:15-12:30

Missions/Social5:15pm

25

26

Choir 6pm

27 28

29 FifthSunday ofEaster

* J. Fogle

30Prop. Mgmt

3:30

OFFICE

CLOSED

31


F.O.R. 7pm

*Lock up perfor the week

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